BANGKOK: Thailand’s new army chief General Anupong Paojinda is a career soldier who will try to strengthen the army in its barracks but will stay out of politics, analysts and the government said on Thursday.

Anupong, named to succeed junta leader General Sonthi Boonyaratglin late Wednesday after the king’s approval, will lead the most powerful branch of the military as the nation heads into general elections on Dec 23.

The polls are supposed to restore democracy after a military coup overthrew twice-elected Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra one year ago, but democracy activists are worried the army plans to cling to power.

“Sonthi explained to me that Anupong is most suitable to lead the army back to the barracks and help the military adjust itself as the country returns to democracy,” Thai Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont told reporters.

Sonthi, who has turned 60 and must retire as army chief at the end of September, will remain at the helm of the junta until a new government is formed.

He has been coy about future plans but has dropped some strong hints that he plans to launch a political career.

Analysts say the appointment of 57-year-old Anupong may go some way towards reassuring people of upcoming political stability.

“The possibility of another coup is less,” he told AFP.

He is currently assistant army commander, and rose to his position after serving as the army commander for Bangkok and nearby provinces, where he mobilised troops during last year’s putsch. Anupong is a former classmate of the man he helped overthrow. He and Thaksin attended military preparatory school together in the 1970s.

“Please be confident that I will never be lenient towards Mr Thaksin,” Anupong was quoted as saying in the Bangkok Post newspaper on Thursday.

Saprang, 59, an outspoken critic of Thaksin, had publicly warned he would stage another coup if a political crisis broke out after the elections.

Sonthi said they appointed Anupong because he is “smart, honest, loyal, and disciplined”.

—AFP